TORONTO - After a pair of wins at home, the Rams are back on the road this week. On Wednesday, they face the Nipissing Lakers up in North Bay. On Saturday night, the squad visits the Queen's Gaels for the first time this season.

Ryerson is pursuing a balanced offensive and defensive effort through nine games. Ryerson hardly converted on numerous high-quality chances against Laurentian and RMC at home last weekend. The squad produced just four goals and an empty netter on 68 shots against two slumping squads. Their match against the Paladins was saved by puck luck via a goal post in the dying seconds. 

"We got the best offence in OUA without a doubt," remarked goaltender Garrett Forrest (Ashburn, Va.) after Ryerson's 2-1 win and 39-20 shot advantage over the Voyageurs last Friday. "It gives me a little confidence knowing we can score at will."

In leading scorer Mathew Santos' eyes, offensive production might not be at the level Forrest described. "We're still early in the year here and we're finding our footing. A little stumble here early is not going to hold us back." Santos (Toronto) has netted five goals and collected six assists for eleven points throughout these first nine games. "I still think we have a very powerful offence and we're just building towards it."

Despite their forwards' firepower, the Rams' recent games have been won in the defensive end. Following their 6-3 loss to Guelph in their third game of the season, Ryerson has not allowed more than two goals in a game decided in regulation. Head coach Johnny Duco praised his team's defence and penalty kill. On Saturday, he said, "That's three consecutive games now where we haven't been scored on by the opposition's powerplay." 

While their 5-2-2 record has not come easily, the Rams clearly have the talent to pull away in the OUA West division. Puck drop on Wednesday against the Lakers, who have dropped their last four, is set for 7:00 p.m. The Gaels have dropped their last two and will take on the top seed Toronto Varsity Blues the night before the Rams visit. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. Both games can be streamed live on OUA.tv.